PRESS RELEASE (CNMI) United States Coral Reef Task Force (USCRTF) Meeting October 3-6, 2003

The Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) and Guam are co-hosting the 10th US Coral Reef Task Force meeting on October 3, 2003 (Dai Ichi Hotel, Saipan) and on October 6th, 2003 (Hilton Resort & Spa, Guam). The meetings are from 8 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. This will be the first time that the CNMI will host the meeting. The public is invited to attend this meeting and there are no registration fees to attend. Dignitaries who have confirmed their attendance include Honorable Governor Felix Camacho from Guam, Honorable Governor Togiola Tulafono from American Samoa, and Honorable President Tommy Remengesau, Jr. from Palau.

Topics of discussion at the meetings include:

  1. coral reef activity updates by each Task Force member
  2. development of CNMI local action strategies for land based sources of pollution, lack of public awareness and education, recreational use impacts, and marine fisheries impacts
  3. Mariana Islands Research Cruise presentation
  4. Traditional coral reef management panel discussion

The public is invited to submit written comments and/or make oral comments during the public comment period of the meeting on Saipan between 2 and 3 p.m. You may submit written public comments to Ms. Becky Cruz Lizama, CNMI Point of Contact, at 664-8305, via fax 664-8315, or email crm.permit@saipan.com.

If you would like to attend the Task Force meeting(s), registration forms may be downloaded from the CRMO website, www.crm.gov.mp or may be requested by contacting Becky at the above numbers. More information about the US Coral Reef Task Force may be found by logging on www.coralreef.gov. You can also register on line at this website. Moreover, if you would like to assist in the above activities or have any questions, please contact Becky.

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